OUR dynamic speaker, who needs no introduction, controversial, diligent, forward thinking, hard working, energy driven and very enthusiastic Mr Chris Evans from Dundry Nurseries, BEM.

The award bestowed on Chris by Dame Janet Trotter at the nursery.

From the age of nine years old when his late grandfather helped grow vegetables for the RAF at Aston Down, nr Stroud, Chris has had 'green fingers'.

Moving to Cheltenham in 1947, with four acres of land to till was a challenge.

The neighbour grew Dahlias in the front garden and tomatoes in the old greenhouse, 120' long at the back, so the grandfather was asked to grow 8,000 boxes of plants for the local Woolworths store after meeting the manager in the local pub.

After achieving his target he set his sights on the Stroud store; the manager was awkward, but getting his daughter to date him, he mellowed and sales rose high.

The manager moved to Worcester and his grandfather travelled to and fro as sales of his plants rose.

With this background Chris inherited his love of growing all types of fruit, flowers and vegetables.

"It's like an adventure" he said, consistently planting rows and trays of green seedlings, or the rarer types of unusual seeds attract him also, like runner beans, one metre in length or a climbing red basil anything different to normal.

Someone asked him for a particular potato, he saw a need in the market and now holds a weekend Potato Festival of over 200 varieties, some grown in pots.

He travels and walks miles; Warwick and Chepstow, even to South Wales.

He traced the house where he was conceived.

His restlessness knows no bounds but his greatest love has been to see an average of 30-40 young people with special needs and all types of disabilities partake daily of all the amenities Dundry Nurseries has to offer, which is arts, crafts, willow weaving, woodwork, potting plants and the butterfly garden, a truly special, inspirational place where people feel safe and loved.

His journey, a mirror, an adventure of life, full of energy and enthusiasm is what spurs him on and most of all his desire to reach out and help all people with disabilities.

Congratulations on your BEM, Chris.

Meg James gave a vote of thanks for such an energetic speaker, presenting him with a photograph of his presentation medal.

Competition winners for an egg cup display won by Sue and Joan.

We meet again on Monday, June 2, 7.30pm in Upton St Leonards Village Hall for a talk on 'The River Severn Tales' by renowned enthusiast Chris Witts.

Competition - model or picture of a donkey.

Colour - blue.

A warm welcome awaits all ladies.

Memories

I remember skylarks ascending high

over the Cotswolds on Juniper Hill,

hay making, following the wagons,

horses chumping at the bit,

cider jars washing down bread and cheese

so many happy hours and days.

Hide and seek, kicking a can and hiding

behind hillocks, bushes and trees,

joy at not being found, and first to win.

Cricket on the common, whips and tops,

hoopla, ball games, skipping,

whizzing down a car free road on a truck

made of pram wheels on wooden base;

laughing, carefree, happy days.

Kathleen Quant